SusannahGIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
November 14th 2010 03:02
GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2009)
Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Peter Haber, Sven-Bertil Taube.
Directed by: Niels Arden Oplev
Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is based on the ridiculously popular novel of the same name by Swedish writer Stieg Larsson. It is the first book in his Millennium Trilogy. Interestingly, the Swedish title for the novel, Män som hatar kvinnor translates as Men Who Hate Women. Considering the content of the film, it is a very apt title. At the risk of spoilers, there are several completely despicable male characters in the film, who, by the end, you simply despise.
The events of the book and film centre on the two main characters, Mikael Blomkvist (Nyqvist) and Lisbeth Salander (Rapace), whose stories do not converge until after the first hour of the film. Blomkvist is a journalist, who, at the start of the film has been convicted of libel in his most recent book, and who will go to jail in a few months’ time. Salander is a professional computer hacker whose troubled history means that her finances are controlled by a court appointed guardian.
Before he goes to jail, Blomkvist is approached by the head of a powerful family, Henrik Vanger (Taube), to investigate the 40 year old disappearance of his niece, Harriet Vanger. Meanwhile, Salander has been asked to look into Blomkvist’s background on behalf of Vanger, and suspects that he may have been framed. Through hacking into his computer, she discovers the mystery he is investigating, and helps him with a vital clue, leading her to team up with him to find out what happened to Harriet.
Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander is a revelation. She is all sharp, gothed-up angles, spiky hair, and black clothes on a lean, androgynous body. Her character is bursting with suppressed rage, the reason for which is only hinted at in part one. What happens to her at the hands of one of the despicable men can only add to whatever unhappiness already haunts her soul. This, incidentally, leads to the most unpleasant scene in the film, one of sexual violence, which has led to the film being an R18 in New Zealand, and contributed to its controversy. Interesting to see how David Fincher handles it in the remake.
Blomkvist and Henrik are two of the male characters who help balance out the film by showing that men are not completely irredeemable. Henrik, who never had children of his own, has been haunted by the loss of Harriet (who he thought of like a daughter) for forty years. He is tormented by her killer every birthday when he is sent a framed picture of a bluebell, the same as what Harriet gave him when she was alive.
Blomkvist is a moral crusader in the world of journalism. He fights against corruption, and earnt the nickname “Mikhael” for a robbery he solved. Thus he is something of a celebrity in Sweden. It is clear that Salander thinks of him as one of the good guys, and they form a tentative romance. But the troubles of her past mean she is not willing to trust him completely – at least not for now.
Visually Girl With The Dragon Tattoo has the grimy thriller look of a David Fincher film, so he is an appropriate choice to direct a Hollywood remake. Sweden looks like a winter-wonderland, beneath which seems to lurk all manner of corruption and sin. The mystery is absorbing, with enough twists, turns, and mystery to keep you guessing until the end, and holds your attention throughout the two and a half hour running time. Originally a 6 part television series in Sweden, encompassing all three books, the series is being edited down and released as three cinematic versions which are 30 minutes shorter than the television editions.
Watch a trailer for Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
Tweet
Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Peter Haber, Sven-Bertil Taube.
Directed by: Niels Arden Oplev
Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is based on the ridiculously popular novel of the same name by Swedish writer Stieg Larsson. It is the first book in his Millennium Trilogy. Interestingly, the Swedish title for the novel, Män som hatar kvinnor translates as Men Who Hate Women. Considering the content of the film, it is a very apt title. At the risk of spoilers, there are several completely despicable male characters in the film, who, by the end, you simply despise.
The events of the book and film centre on the two main characters, Mikael Blomkvist (Nyqvist) and Lisbeth Salander (Rapace), whose stories do not converge until after the first hour of the film. Blomkvist is a journalist, who, at the start of the film has been convicted of libel in his most recent book, and who will go to jail in a few months’ time. Salander is a professional computer hacker whose troubled history means that her finances are controlled by a court appointed guardian.
Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander
Before he goes to jail, Blomkvist is approached by the head of a powerful family, Henrik Vanger (Taube), to investigate the 40 year old disappearance of his niece, Harriet Vanger. Meanwhile, Salander has been asked to look into Blomkvist’s background on behalf of Vanger, and suspects that he may have been framed. Through hacking into his computer, she discovers the mystery he is investigating, and helps him with a vital clue, leading her to team up with him to find out what happened to Harriet.
Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander is a revelation. She is all sharp, gothed-up angles, spiky hair, and black clothes on a lean, androgynous body. Her character is bursting with suppressed rage, the reason for which is only hinted at in part one. What happens to her at the hands of one of the despicable men can only add to whatever unhappiness already haunts her soul. This, incidentally, leads to the most unpleasant scene in the film, one of sexual violence, which has led to the film being an R18 in New Zealand, and contributed to its controversy. Interesting to see how David Fincher handles it in the remake.
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo poster
Blomkvist and Henrik are two of the male characters who help balance out the film by showing that men are not completely irredeemable. Henrik, who never had children of his own, has been haunted by the loss of Harriet (who he thought of like a daughter) for forty years. He is tormented by her killer every birthday when he is sent a framed picture of a bluebell, the same as what Harriet gave him when she was alive.
Blomkvist is a moral crusader in the world of journalism. He fights against corruption, and earnt the nickname “Mikhael” for a robbery he solved. Thus he is something of a celebrity in Sweden. It is clear that Salander thinks of him as one of the good guys, and they form a tentative romance. But the troubles of her past mean she is not willing to trust him completely – at least not for now.
Visually Girl With The Dragon Tattoo has the grimy thriller look of a David Fincher film, so he is an appropriate choice to direct a Hollywood remake. Sweden looks like a winter-wonderland, beneath which seems to lurk all manner of corruption and sin. The mystery is absorbing, with enough twists, turns, and mystery to keep you guessing until the end, and holds your attention throughout the two and a half hour running time. Originally a 6 part television series in Sweden, encompassing all three books, the series is being edited down and released as three cinematic versions which are 30 minutes shorter than the television editions.
Watch a trailer for Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
Tweet
| 95 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
